NLTA Vice-President

Monday, 4 July 2016

I often hear families and individuals comment on the pace of life, the
‘rat race’, and the impossibility of the multiple roles we are expected to fill
(that of employee, parent, spouse, care-giver, volunteer,...).

Significant
research has gone into the impacts of the roles we assume (and those we are
forced into) as well as the benefits of having a strong relationship with
‘yourself’. The concepts of ‘work-life balance’ and ‘self-care’ have become
cliché in many respects but do we truly know and reward our personal selves
accordingly?Creating therapeutic ‘alone time’ with your thoughts, emotions,
and feelings, and intentionally creating opportunities for self-reflection,
renewal, and re-generation can be extremely cathartic.

The nice thing is...it
does not require a huge monetary investment nor a plan to escape into a
globe-trotting introspective journey - those Tibetan monks can be a handful!
;). It can simply mean, a dedicated hour for
yourself at the local book store, a private
walk along your favorite beach, or playing your music, when and where you want...

It’s about intentionality and ensuring these events make it
into your schedule.

I strongly believe that an investment in effective personal
time can reduce the shock of losing love ones, maintain strong mental health,
and truly enable you to enjoy what it means to be ‘you’.

After all, you have so many people competing for your time,
what’s one more?

* Past President of School Counsellors Chapter of the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)

* 'Virtues Project' Facilitator (2016)

Look at Me

A poem through the many eyes of my students (of varying capabilities)...

-------

'Look at me'

Look at me...

I know you see me.

I know you are thinking about me.

You were here just a few minutes ago.

But I need you now.

I need you more.

But I know he needs you too.

And she needs you more than me.

But I am still here...be sure not to forget me.

Mom keeps telling me you are doing your best.

But, I need you more.

Only if...

Only if...there were less of us.

And more of you to go around.

I know I would see you more.

You would be happier...

I would be happier.

Imagine what WE could achieve...

Only if...

Trent Langdon

Professionally speaking...

* First and foremost, I am a junior high school counsellor for 600+ adolescents. I am dedicated to advocacy and service for children, teens, their families, and communities.

* I work on behalf of my colleagues to build identity, protect professional roles, and to give teachers ‘a voice’. I am currently Vice-President of the Newfoundland & Labrador Teachers Association (NLTA); serving for the last four years on the NLTA's Provincial Executive.

* I am also a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

* And last but certainly not least, I am a proud contributor to the Epic Engage team (www.epicengage.com), wholeheartedly believing in the promotion of character-based leadership and virtues-based living (for everyone).

LGBTQ+ Ally

Hometown - Norris Arm South

Currently living in Mount Pearl; born and raised in beautiful Norris Arm South (Notre Dame Bay)

Retirement

Congrats to a longtime colleague and friend (Gerard Walsh) on his retirement after 36 years of service. VP Dean Ingram presenting Gerard with his NLTA Certificate.